U.S. patent application number 16/536355 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for outside mirror side turn indicator with integrated battery charge display function.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magna Mirrors Holding GmbH. Invention is credited to Mark Kennedy.
Application Number | 20200049534 16/536355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69186341 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200049534 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kennedy; Mark |
February 13, 2020 |
OUTSIDE MIRROR SIDE TURN INDICATOR WITH INTEGRATED BATTERY CHARGE
DISPLAY FUNCTION
Abstract
A vehicular exterior mirror assembly includes a turn signal unit
disposed at a mirror casing of the exterior mirror assembly. The
turn signal unit includes a housing portion, at least one light
source and a lens. With the exterior mirror assembly disposed at a
side of an equipped vehicle, light emitted by the at least one
light source, when the at least one light source is electrically
powered, passes through the lens in the direction of forward travel
of the equipped vehicle. With the exterior mirror assembly disposed
at the side of the equipped vehicle, the turn signal unit (i)
responsive to a charge level signal indicative of a vehicle charge
level of a power source of the equipped vehicle, emits light to
indicate the vehicle charge level, and (ii) responsive to actuation
of a turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, emits light to
provide a turn signal indication.
Inventors: |
Kennedy; Mark; (Sailauf,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magna Mirrors Holding GmbH |
Sailauf |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
69186341 |
Appl. No.: |
16/536355 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62717966 |
Aug 13, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21Y 2115/10 20160801;
B60L 2250/16 20130101; B60L 58/12 20190201; B60Q 1/34 20130101;
G01R 31/3646 20190101; B60Q 1/38 20130101; B60Q 1/2665 20130101;
F21S 43/14 20180101; F21S 43/245 20180101; B60Q 1/2607 20130101;
G01D 7/005 20130101; B60Q 1/50 20130101; F21S 43/26 20180101; B60L
1/14 20130101; F21S 43/237 20180101 |
International
Class: |
G01D 7/00 20060101
G01D007/00; B60Q 1/34 20060101 B60Q001/34; B60L 58/12 20060101
B60L058/12; G01R 31/36 20060101 G01R031/36; B60Q 1/26 20060101
B60Q001/26; F21S 43/14 20060101 F21S043/14; F21S 43/20 20060101
F21S043/20 |
Claims
1. A vehicular exterior mirror assembly, wherein the exterior
mirror assembly is configured to be disposed at a side of a vehicle
equipped with the exterior mirror assembly, the exterior mirror
assembly comprising: a turn signal unit disposed at a mirror casing
of the exterior mirror assembly; wherein the turn signal unit
comprises a housing portion, at least one light source and a lens;
wherein, with the exterior mirror assembly disposed at the side of
the equipped vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light
source, when the at least one light source is electrically powered,
passes through the lens in the direction of forward travel of the
equipped vehicle; wherein the turn signal unit, with the exterior
mirror assembly disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, and
responsive to a charge level signal indicative of a vehicle charge
level of a power source of the equipped vehicle, emits light to
indicate the vehicle charge level; and wherein the turn signal
unit, with the exterior mirror assembly disposed at the side of the
equipped vehicle, and responsive to actuation of a turn signal
indicator of the equipped vehicle, emits light to provide a turn
signal indication.
2. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
light source comprises a multicolor light emitting diode (LED)
operable to emit colored light, and wherein color of the emitted
light, when the multicolor LED is electrically powered, varies
responsive to the charge level signal indicative of the vehicle
charge level so as to be variably indicative of different vehicle
charge levels.
3. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein,
responsive to the charge level signal being indicative of a low
vehicle charge level, the multicolor LED emits red light, and
wherein, responsive to the charge level signal being indicative of
a high vehicle charge level, the multicolor LED emits green
light.
4. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein,
responsive to actuation of the turn signal indicator of the
equipped vehicle, the multicolor LED operates to emit amber
light.
5. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein the
turn signal unit further comprises a light guide that is disposed
along the lens, and wherein the light guide receives light emitted
by the multicolor LED when the multicolor LED is electrically
powered.
6. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the
lens is disposed in front of the light guide, and wherein the lens
is attached at the housing portion to encase the light guide in the
turn signal unit.
7. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the
at least one light source comprises a turn signal indicating light
emitting diode (LED), and wherein the light guide receives light
emitted by the turn signal indicating LED when the turn signal
indicating LED is electrically powered responsive to actuation of
the turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle.
8. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the
light guide has a first inlet for receiving light emitted by the
multicolor LED when electrically powered and a second inlet for
receiving light emitted by the turn signal indicating LED when
electrically powered.
9. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
at least one light source comprises a plurality of light emitting
diodes (LEDs) disposed along the lens, and wherein, responsive to
the charge level signal indicative of the vehicle charge level, the
turn signal unit indicates the current vehicle charge level by
energizing one or more of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs in
accordance with the charge level signal.
10. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the
turn signal unit energizes more LEDs of the plurality of LEDs in
response to the vehicle charge level increasing.
11. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the
lens is disposed in front of the plurality of LEDs, and wherein the
lens is attached at the housing portion to encase the LEDs in the
turn signal unit.
12. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
turn signal unit operates responsive to the charge level signal to
emit light to indicate the vehicle charge level when the equipped
vehicle is in a non-driving state.
13. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein the
turn signal unit operates responsive to the charge level signal to
emit light to indicate the vehicle charge level responsive in part
to a user input when the equipped vehicle is in the non-driving
state.
14. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
turn signal unit operates responsive to actuation of the turn
signal indicator of the equipped vehicle to emit light to provide
the turn signal indication when the equipped vehicle is in a
driving state.
15. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
charge level signal is generated by a power source monitoring
system of the equipped vehicle and communicated to the turn signal
unit via a communication bus and a body control module of the
equipped vehicle.
16. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the
turn signal unit emits light to provide the turn signal indication
responsive to another signal indicative of actuation of the turn
signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, and wherein the other
signal is communicated to the turn signal indicator via a
communication bus and a body control module of the equipped
vehicle.
17. A vehicular exterior mirror assembly, wherein the exterior
mirror assembly is configured to be disposed at a side of a vehicle
equipped with the exterior mirror assembly, the exterior mirror
assembly comprising: a turn signal unit disposed at a mirror casing
of the exterior mirror assembly; wherein the turn signal unit
comprises a housing portion, a first light source, a second light
source and a lens; wherein, with the exterior mirror assembly
disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, light emitted by the
first or second light source, when the first or second light source
is electrically powered, passes through the lens in the direction
of forward travel of the equipped vehicle; wherein the first light
source is actuated responsive to a charge level signal indicative
of a vehicle charge level of a power source of the equipped vehicle
when the equipped vehicle is in a charging state; wherein the turn
signal unit, with the exterior mirror assembly disposed at the side
of the equipped vehicle, and responsive to the charge level signal
indicative of the vehicle charge level of the power source of the
equipped vehicle, emits light via actuation of the first light
source to indicate the vehicle charge level; wherein the second
light source is actuated responsive to actuation of a turn signal
indicator of the equipped vehicle when the equipped vehicle is in a
driving state; and wherein the turn signal unit, with the exterior
mirror assembly disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, and
responsive to actuation of the turn signal indicator of the
equipped vehicle, emits light via actuation of the second light
source to provide a turn signal indication.
18. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein the
first light source comprises a multicolor light emitting diode
(LED) operable to emit colored light, and wherein color of the
emitted light, when the multicolor LED is electrically powered,
varies responsive to the charge level signal indicative of the
vehicle charge level so as to be variably indicative of different
vehicle charge levels.
19. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 18, wherein the
turn signal unit further comprises a light guide that is disposed
along the lens, and wherein the light guide receives light emitted
by the first light source when the first light source is
actuated.
20. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein the
light guide receives light emitted by the second light source when
the second light source is actuated responsive to actuation of the
turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle.
21. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein the
light guide has a first inlet for receiving light emitted by the
first light source when actuated and a second inlet for receiving
light emitted by the second light source when actuated.
22. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein the
first light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes
(LEDs) disposed along the lens, and wherein, responsive to the
charge level signal indicative of the vehicle charge level, the
turn signal unit indicates the current vehicle charge level by
energizing one or more of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs in
accordance with the charge level signal.
23. A vehicular exterior mirror assembly, wherein the exterior
mirror assembly is configured to be disposed at a side of a vehicle
equipped with the exterior mirror assembly, the exterior mirror
assembly comprising: a turn signal unit disposed at a mirror casing
of the exterior mirror assembly; wherein the turn signal unit
comprises a housing portion, at least one first light emitting
diode (LED), at least one second light emitting diode (LED), and a
lens; wherein the turn signal unit, with the exterior mirror
assembly disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, and
responsive to a charge level signal indicative of a vehicle charge
level of a power source of the equipped vehicle when the equipped
vehicle is in a charging state, actuates the at least one first LED
and emits light to indicate the vehicle charge level; and wherein
the turn signal unit, with the exterior mirror assembly disposed at
the side of the equipped vehicle, and responsive to actuation of a
turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle when the equipped
vehicle is in an operating state, actuates the at least one second
LED and emits amber light to provide a turn signal indication.
24. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the
at least one first LED comprises a multicolor light emitting diode
(LED) operable to emit colored light, and wherein color of the
emitted light, when the multicolor LED is actuated, varies
responsive to the charge level signal indicative of the vehicle
charge level so as to be variably indicative of different vehicle
charge levels.
25. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 24, wherein the
turn signal unit further comprises at least one light guide that is
disposed along the lens, and wherein the at least one light guide
receives light emitted by the multicolor LED when the multicolor
LED is actuated and receives light emitted by the at least one
second LED when the at least one second LED is actuated.
26. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the
at least one first LED comprises a plurality of first LEDs disposed
along the lens, and wherein, responsive to the charge level signal
indicative of the vehicle charge level, the turn signal unit
indicates the current vehicle charge level by actuating one or more
of the first LEDs of the plurality of first LEDs in accordance with
the charge level signal.
27. The vehicular exterior mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein the
turn signal unit operates responsive to the charge level signal to
actuate the at least one first LED and emit light to indicate the
vehicle charge level responsive in part to a user input when the
equipped vehicle is in the charging state.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/717,966, filed Aug. 13,
2018, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more
particularly, exterior rearview mirror assemblies that include a
turn signal unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] External mirrors that comprise a turn signal unit are well
known. They are increasingly popular additional turn signal devices
in motor vehicles and on the one hand increase the safety of the
vehicle and on the other hand enhance the vehicle aesthetically.
Various embodiments of external mirrors with integrated turn
signals are known, for example from US 2007/0279923.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a turn signal unit for an
exterior mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the turn signal unit
is arranged, with the turn signal unit and the exterior mirror in
the installation position, to radiate a flashing light forward in
the direction of forward travel of the vehicle. The turn signal
unit is also operable to emit light to indicate a vehicle charge
level.
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
vehicular exterior mirror assembly includes a turn signal unit
disposed at a mirror casing of the exterior mirror assembly. The
turn signal unit comprises a housing portion, a light source and a
lens, with the lens disposed in front of the light source and
attached at the housing portion. The turn signal unit, when the
exterior mirror assembly is disposed at a side of an equipped
vehicle, is operable to emit light to indicate a vehicle charge
level.
[0006] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with an exterior
rearview mirror of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a turn signal unit for a known
exterior rearview mirror assembly;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a turn signal unit with
multicolor light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate a vehicle or
battery charge level in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded views of a turn signal unit
with sequentially arranged and energized LEDs to indicate the
vehicle charge level in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0011] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a vehicle with a block diagram of
the signal system including an indicator operable to emit light for
a turn signal indication function and for a battery charge level
indicator function.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly
10 is mounted at a side of a vehicle 12 (FIG. 1). The exterior
rearview mirror assembly includes a housing that acts as a support
for the turn signal unit 14, a control unit 16, which can be
implemented as a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) and that can
form an electrical input or optical input for a light source of the
turn signal unit, and an at least partly light transmissive lens or
cover element 18 (such as a transparent or clear light transmitting
cover element or such as a colored or tinted light transmitting
cover element) forming the boundary and front or exterior housing
component of the turn signal unit 14 (see FIG. 3).
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, exterior rearview mirror assemblies
often include side turn indicators (STIs) that emit an amber light
to indicate the vehicle's turn signal. Typically, only amber color
is used, as other colors are not compliant with vehicle regulations
(e.g., ECE R6, ECE R48). Such STIs commonly include a housing, a
light guide, a lens and/or reflectors that directs emitted light
outward from the STI to the surrounding area. When charging an
electric vehicle, a vehicle charge level may not be obvious from
outside the vehicle. During vehicle charging, the vehicle is in a
non-operating state (e.g., parked), and therefore STIs may be
repurposed for other functions during charging.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, a side turn indicator or STI 14 may be
equipped with one or more multicolored LEDs 20 in addition to an
amber light-emitting LED 22 and a light guide or light pipe 24
disposed at a base portion 15 (which cooperates with the cover
element 18 to encase the light guide 24 at the mirror assembly).
The multicolored LED(s) 20 operates to indicate a charge level of
the vehicle or vehicle battery or batteries, while the amber LED 22
operates to indicate a turn signal of the vehicle. The light guide
24 may comprise a single light guiding element with two separate
inlets or light receiving portions 24a, 24b, with each light
receiving portion 24a, 24b being disposed at and receiving light
emitted by a respective one of the LEDs 20, 22. Alternatively, the
light guide may have a single inlet or light receiving portion that
receives light from either LED 20, 22. Since the multicolored LED
or charge indicating LED 20 is only operable when the vehicle is
parked or in a charge state and the amber LED or turn signal
indicating LED 22 is only operable when the vehicle is operating
(such as when being driven or maneuvered or when the vehicle
ignition is on and when the turn signal indicator has been
actuated), the LEDs will not operate at the same time so the light
guide will be illuminated by only one of the LEDs at any given
time.
[0015] The multicolored LED is capable of emitting a wide range of
colors. When the vehicle is in a non-operating state (such as when
parked or such as responsive to charging of the vehicle/battery),
the multicolored LED may operate to indicate the vehicle charge
level. For example, the multicolored LED may emit red light when
the vehicle charge level is low, yellow light when the vehicle
charge level is at half, and green light when the vehicle charge
level is full. When the vehicle is in an operating state (such as
when the vehicle is being driven or maneuvered along a road and
such as responsive to actuation of a turn signal of the vehicle),
the STI may then operate to only utilize amber light (either from a
separate LED 22 or optionally from the multicolored LED 20 set or
controlled to emit amber light) to indicate the vehicle's turn
signal.
[0016] Optionally, for example, the STI may comprise a multi-color
LED that emits amber light responsive to actuation of the turn
signal indicator and that emits red, yellow or green responsive to
a charge state signal when the vehicle is not operating.
Alternatively, if a separate turn signal LED 22 is used for the
turn signal indicator, the separate LED 22 (dedicated for
indicating a turn signal) may emit amber light or optionally the
turn signal LED 22 may emit white light, whereby the light guide 24
(or a portion of the light guide that is illuminated by the LED 22)
may be colored so that it illuminates as an amber color when the
LED 22 is energized. In such a configuration, another light guide
(or a portion of the light guide) may comprise a clear element that
is illuminated by the multi-colored LED to indicate the charge
level.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a side turn indicator or
STI 114 may comprise a row (e.g., sequential arrangement) of LEDs
120 (of any color), such as may be linearly or otherwise arranged
along a circuit element or strip and electrically connected to the
circuit board or control unit 116. The LEDs 120 (and optionally
other LEDs or a light guide) are disposed at and between the
indicator base or housing 115 and the cover element 118. The LEDs
120 indicate the vehicle charge level when the vehicle is in a
non-operating state. For example, when the vehicle charge level is
low, zero or one (or other low quantity) of the LEDs 120 may be
illuminated (FIG. 4A). When the vehicle charge level is high most
or all of the LEDs 120 may be illuminated (FIG. 4B). For example,
for an indicator with a row of ten LEDs (or 11 LEDs such as shown
in FIGS. 4A and 4B), all of the LEDs may be energized when the
battery is fully charged (as shown in FIG. 4B), with each LED
representing about a 10 percent change (or about a 9.1 percent
change if 11 LEDs) in charge level as compared to the adjacent
LED(s). Thus, if the vehicle or battery is at 50 percent charge
level, five of the LEDs would be energized, and if 10 percent
charge level, only one LED would be energized (as shown in FIG.
4A). Optionally, when the charge level falls below a threshold
amount (such as, for example, 20 percent), the one or two or three
LEDs that are energized to indicate the charge level may be flashed
or intermittently actuated to further draw a user's attention to
the low battery charge level.
[0018] The LEDs 120 (or a separate row of LEDs or a light guide
illuminated by a single dedicated LED) may function to emit amber
light for the turn signal function when the vehicle is in an
operating state (and responsive to actuation by a driver of the
vehicle of the turn signal indicator). Optionally, for example, the
STI 114 may include a row of LEDs (such as shown in FIGS. 4A and
4B) that emit, for example, red or green or white light, for
providing the battery charge level indication, and the STI may also
include a light guide that is illuminated via a single LED (such as
similar to the light guide and LED shown in FIG. 3) so as to
provide amber light for the turn signal indication.
[0019] Thus, the side turn signal indicator 14, 114 provides a turn
signal indication function that emits amber light at the indicator
responsive to a driver (or an autonomous vehicle control system)
actuating a turn signal during operation of the vehicle. The
indicator 14, 114 also provides a battery charge level indication
function that indicates the charge level of the vehicle battery
(for an electric vehicle) when the vehicle is not operating or not
being driven (such as by a driver or an autonomous vehicle control
system) or when the vehicle/battery is being charged.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the indicator 14, 114 is disposed at one
or both exterior rearview mirror assemblies 10, 11 of the vehicle
and is/are in communication with a body control module (BCM) 126
and/or electronic control module (ECU) 128 of the vehicle, which
are in communication with a vehicle bus or communication network
130 of the vehicle. The communication network 130 may communicate
signals indicative of actuation of the turn signal actuator 132,
such as responsive to actuation of a turn signal stalk or actuator
at a steering column of the vehicle (or such as responsive to
automatic actuation of a turn signal by an autonomous control
system as the vehicle approaches an intersection at which the
system plans to turn the vehicle), to the ECU and/or BCM (so that
the indicator is actuated to emit amber light) and may communicate
signals from a power source or battery charging system or charge
monitoring system 134 to the ECU and/or BCM (such that the
indicator is actuated to indicate the battery charge level). The
indicator 14, 114 may be disposed at a driver side exterior
rearview mirror assembly 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or may be disposed
at the passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly 11 or a
respective indicator may be disposed at each of the driver side
exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 and the passenger-side
exterior rearview mirror assembly 11 (as shown in FIG. 5).
[0021] The indicator 14, 114 may only operate to provide the
battery charge level indication when the vehicle is not operating
or is turned off (or when the vehicle/battery is being charged), or
the BCM or ECU may only communicate a battery charge level signal
to the indicator 14, 114 when the vehicle is not operating or is
turned off (or when the vehicle/battery is being charged). Thus,
the indicator 14, 114 provides the turn signal indication
responsive to actuation of a turn signal function at any time when
the vehicle is being driven or the vehicle is "on" (such as when
the ignition is on for the vehicle) and provides the battery charge
indication responsive to the battery charge level signal when the
vehicle is "off" or not operating. Optionally, the indicator 14,
114 may only provide the battery charge indication function
responsive to a user input, such that a person at the side of the
vehicle may press a button or actuate another input to cause the
indicator 14, 114 to emit the charge indicating light that is
indicative of the level of battery charge for the battery of the
vehicle. Such a user input function may only be operable when the
vehicle is off or not operating or not moving.
[0022] Thus, the present invention provides a means for a driver
(or other user) of a vehicle to quickly and easily observe the
vehicle charge level of a charging (or otherwise parked) electric
vehicle by observing the illumination from the vehicle's STI(s).
For example, the vehicle may indicate the vehicle charge level
through the color or quantity of light emitted by the STI(s).
[0023] Optionally, the turn signal unit and exterior rearview
mirror assembly may utilize aspects of U.S. Publication No.
US-2018-0010760, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
[0024] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments may be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law.
* * * * *